The empress on recovery from her swoon, fell VALEN-
upon her knees, and thus addressed the emperor: TAN
‘Alas! my lord, take pity on one who never ORSO
harboured an evil thought against your person
or dignity; and if not upon me, at least I implore
you have compassion on your two children!
Let me be imprisoned or put to death, if it so
pleaseth you; but, I beseech you, save my poor
children!’

The rash emperor, misled by the false tales of
the prime minister, would not hearken to her;
and the courtiers, perceiving that nothing could
mitigate his rage, removed Bellisance from his
presence.

Her faithful servant, Blandiman, now threw him-
self at her feet, exclaiming, ‘Ah! madam, let me
prevail on you to quit this unhappy place, and
suffer me to conduct you and your children to
your brother, the good King Pepin. Innocent and
noble lady, follow my counsel; for if you stay here
the emperor will bring you to a shameful death.’
‘No, my faithful servant,’ replied she; ‘I cannot
follow your advice. If I should steal away
privately from the court, it might be said I had
fled because I was guilty. No; I had rather die
the most cruel death than bear the blame of that
of which I am innocent.’

The emperor so far relented, that he would not
pronounce sentence of execution upon his queen;
yet, as his mind was continually excited by false
accusations against her, he resolved to banish her
from his dominions, and immediately commanded
her to quit Constantinople. At the same time he
published an edict, forbidding all persons, on pain
of death, to assist or succour the unfortunate lady,
allowing her no other attendant than her servant
Blandiman, whom she had brought with her from
France. Sentence having been thus pronounced,
the queen, Blandiman, and the two children,

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